Favorite Schools

Favorite Teams

Michigan

Change Region

comments

Consumers Energy pilots heating assistance program to help customers before a 'crisis'

home heating bills.jpg

Jackson County residents could benefit from a Consumers Energy pilot program that provides assistance with home heating before the first shut-off notice arrives in the mail. In the past, customers would have to receive a shut-off notice before receiving assistance.

JACKSON, MI – Jackson County residents could benefit from a Consumers Energy pilot program that provides assistance with home heating before the first shut-off notice arrives in the mail.

The energy company, using state funds, is piloting the Consumers Affordable Resource for Energy, or CARE program, that can provide customers with energy bill credits, as well as conduct an energy audit on homes.

In the past, customers would have to receive a shut-off notice before receiving assistance, according to Consumers Energy Spokesman Brian Wheeler. Now, Consumers Energy customers don’t have to wait.

“They would have had to reach the point of crisis to qualify for assistance,” Wheeler said. “Now they can apply by virtue of their income level, it’s a proactive approach before it gets to a crisis situation.”

So far this year, Central Michigan 2-1-1 has received about 1,520 calls from Jackson County residents seeking help to pay their heating bills, according to Central Michigan 2-1-1 Manager Jennie Pollak.

Last year the agency received 1,573 calls.

“It’s as simple as a 2-1-1 call or a call to our toll free number, customers need to be aware of our programs that can make a real difference in people’s lives and not feel like it’s more difficult than it needs to be,” Wheeler said.

In addition, Pollak wants to let residents know about a change in the State Emergency Relief applications. The state designated the new “energy crisis season” from Nov. 1 to May 31 and will only accept applications for assistance between those dates, Pollak said. In the past, residents could apply year round.

Consumers Energy also provides protection programs for people who are income-qualified, 65 and older, or in the military. For more information on Consumers Energy assistance programs visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/assistance or call Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050.